A half-time emergency management director position may be created in the Todd County Sheriff's Department, it was noted at the April 21 Todd County Board meeting.

Bob Blessing, who has been Emergency Management Director since January of 2007, will be retiring soon, commissioners were told. His replacement could be someone from the sheriff's department.

"In any emergency, we'll be the first on the scene," said Sheriff Pete Mikkelson. The solution is to appoint one person to this position, he said. He indicated he would not be requesting more staff.

The state mandates that each county have an emergency management director, said Blessing. He is retiring at the end of May.

He said that about 87 per cent of Minnesota counties place the position within the sheriff's department. Blessing would also like to see the position remain full time.

The focus has to be on a director who can respond as needed and also take care of grant funding, said Commissioner Ruda.

Department consolidation Commissioners unanimously agreed to begin the process of studying the possibilities for departmental consolidation. Consolidation can increase the services provided to the public while decreasing taxpayer costs, Burkett said.

This idea is long overdue, Ruda said. This could take a great deal of study, and the process should begin now, he said. Commissioner Randy Neumann agreed. "We should start doing this right away," he said. With the state budget shortfall, in two years the board could be looking at trying to cut $1.4 million from its budget, Neumann said.

Burkett hopes to have a draft report to commissioners by the beginning of July.

Social services

An office support specialist position has been eliminated in the county's social services department. Instead, a Support Enforcement Aide position was created to increase the effi- ciency of the department's child support work.

The eliminated position did clerical duties which have now become more automated, said Director Frank Sandlin.

Energy grants

Many energy efficiency grants have become available through the federal government stimulus package, said Burkett. One grant is for conducting energy audits. Another grant, through the Minnesota Department of Energy Security, could provide funding for increased energy efficiency and energy independence, he said.

The board encouraged him to pursue these grants. Commissioner Mark Blessing suggested that Region Five could help with grant writing.